Care, Guidance and Support

The Pastoral System

In their day-to-day lives, students mostly come into contact with their form tutors and subject teachers. A form tutor has the responsibility of monitoring each tutee’s academic progress and overall well-being, and initiating appropriate intervention as and when necessary. A student’s Form Tutor is normally the first point of contact for

routine matters, including ordinary absence

private issues including family matters

progress or discipline

S/he will be the teacher who knows the student best and will be best placed to help in a wide range of areas of concern. We hope that all parents will quickly get to know their child’s Tutor. Routine letters such as absence notes, general information, requests for information, etc. can be addressed to the Form Tutor.

Tutors are monitored and supported by Heads of Year. A student's Head of Year will automatically become involved by the Form Tutor in any matters that are not ‘routine’. If we have serious concerns about a student then it is likely to be his Head of Year who contacts parents. Parents should contact the Head of Year if they have already raised a matter of concern with the Form Tutor but are unhappy with the outcome.

The Pastoral Team

Head of Year 7

Mr I McLennan

Head of Year 8

Mr D Robjohns

Head of Year 9

Mr S Jones

Head of Year 10

Mr P Watson

Head of Year 11

Mr E Davies

Head of Sixth Form

Mr R Cook

Should parents have any questions or concerns about any of their child’s lessons it is best if they take up these concerns with the relevant subject teacher. They will always be grateful if potential difficulties are raised with them at the earliest possible opportunity, so that they have time to address any issues before they become serious. Subject teachers are also best-placed to suggest ways in which parents can help and support their child in their academic studies.

The School’s senior staff are always happy to speak with parents if there are any concerns.

The House System

The School is organised into five Houses, each with a house colour, prefect team and House Leader:

House

House Lead

House Colour

Darwin

Mr M Pritchard

Yellow

Elgar

Mr R Thomas

Light Blue

Newton

Ms M Gosling

Dark Blue

Scott

Mrs N Vickery Peach

Red

Turner

Mrs E Teenan

Green

Each year group in Years 7-11 has one tutor group of about 30 boys. In the Sixth Form there are three tutor groups in each House. In each tutor group there are students from both Years 12 and 13. House Captains and House Prefects are selected on an annual basis and represent their House in a number of ways as well as being role models for their House members.

During the year the Houses compete against each other in a number of activities throughout the year. The annual House Competition culminates in the school’s Sports’ Day, which normally takes place in July. The students take great pride in their House, and all competitions are fiercely (and fairly) contested! Each year, students in each House choose a charity to support. Each House is assigned a week in the school calendar for fundraising, with the prefects taking the lead in organising events such as cake sales, sports tournaments, talents shows and discos. It is not unusual for a House to raise over £2,000 for their chosen charity.

Through the House system older students are encouraged to mentor and support younger ones. The support offered ranges from that which is very subject specific to simply being someone to talk to and share a concern.

Individual Learning Needs

The school has a small but highly effective Individual Learning Needs (ILN) department, which includes our Special Educational Needs section and which is overseen by the school’s SENCo, (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) Mrs C Wood. Students are often supported in and out of lessons by a number of teaching assistants.

Additional sources of support

The Student Support team (in the Student Hub) ensures that there is additional support for students with concerns or problems. Students who are feeling unwell or require First Aid are supported by the same colleagues. The team work closely with Social Services and other agencies to access the appropriate support to both students and parents. In addition, the School nurse is available one lunchtime a week for student consultation, with appointments booked through the Student Hub.

Careers Advice

As a school we buy in the services of an accredited Careers Advisor. This ensures that our students have access to impartial and independent careers advice and guidance from a professional and up to date source. The Careers Advisor also undertakes tracking and monitoring of students who have left Bournemouth School, either post 16 or post 18, and can help to ensure that they are being properly supported through their next phase in their career. Appointments to see a Careers Advisor can be booked through the Student Hub.